beIN Sports Extends Premier League Rights to 2028 | OneFootball

Premier League Bolsters Middle East Presence with Renewed beIN Sports Deal

Key agreement reinforces Premier League’s international growth

In a move that underscores the Premier League’s global clout, beIN Sports has secured a fresh three-year broadcast rights deal for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, worth around £550 million. The agreement, running until the close of the 2027-28 season, represents a 10 percent increase on the previous cycle and strengthens the league’s position as the world’s most lucrative domestic football competition.

This renewal, forged in the context of political undercurrents and regional broadcast tensions, is a quiet victory for both the Premier League and its long-term Qatari partner. In a statement that brimmed with confidence and diplomacy, beIN MENA CEO Mohammad Al-Subaie said, “This renewal not only signifies our enduring commitment to providing the highest quality sports content on beIN Sports and reinforces our leading position in the region, but also demonstrates the trust that the Premier League has in us.”

Regional tensions and commercial resilience

The Premier League’s relationship with beIN dates back to 2013, a period that has seen the region become a significant revenue stream for English football’s top tier. But the road has not been without its obstacles. Between 2017 and 2019, the Saudi-backed piracy operation beoutQ illegally redistributed beIN’s feed, prompting a full ban of the broadcaster in Saudi Arabia until late 2021.

That dispute was a symptom of broader geopolitical hostilities between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Though those tensions have thawed somewhat, Riyadh’s discomfort with a Qatari media giant dominating Gulf sports broadcasting remains unresolved. Recent Saudi efforts to challenge beIN’s dominance, notably through a proposed joint venture with global streamer DAZN, hint at a long-term ambition to create a domestic alternative.

Still, such manoeuvres have not derailed beIN’s grip on the region. If anything, they have delayed inevitable renewals. Talks between beIN and the Premier League had been tentatively agreed two years ago, but regional uncertainty prolonged the process. The final deal, then, arrives as much from pragmatism as persistence.

Financial uplift amid global uncertainty

What matters most, however, is the money. This agreement arrives at a time when global broadcast markets are either contracting or stagnating. In this climate, a 10 percent rise is not just notable, it is exceptional. The league, after all, is not just renewing old ties, it is expanding them. beIN will carry 380 live Premier League matches per season, in addition to highlights, interviews and exclusive content access.

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This deal also contributes to a 27 percent overall increase in the Premier League’s overseas media rights income, with major boosts from Chinese, Thai and American markets driving the growth. Together with its four-year domestic agreements with Sky Sports, TNT Sports and the BBC, the league is set to bank a staggering £12.25 billion in rights revenue across the next three seasons.

Paul Molnar, the Premier League’s chief media officer, framed the deal as more than financial. “We look forward to continuing our close collaboration on a variety of content and promotional initiatives, bringing the Premier League even closer to our passionate fans in this important region,” he said.

Boosting confidence amid audience concerns

This announcement arrives shortly after a reminder that all is not smooth sailing. At their recent AGM, Premier League clubs were informed of a dip in domestic viewing figures last season. While some blame a lack of end-of-season jeopardy, others wonder if interest is beginning to fray. Against that backdrop, the overseas growth offers reassurance that the league remains a prized global export, even as it navigates challenges closer to home.